Judge not and you will not be judged Luke 6:34 Judge – In our politically and socially correct world, we have propagated the mythology of withholding judgment. All correction has deteriorated into personal opinion and personal opinion has been devalued to nothing. If you tell me that I am doing something wrong, so what? That’s…
Open rebuke is better than concealed love. Proverbs 27:5 (Waltke) Concealed – Want to really be my friend? Gently rebuke me! If you withhold your correction for fear of confrontation, you have really demonstrated selfishness. Would you rather let me flounder than risk the truth? Then you are no friend of mine. Solomon points out…
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 Being Perfected – God does not work according to human plans or purposes. Of course, we all knew that, didn’t we? We often find ourselves saying, “God’s ways are not our ways,” especially when we just…
Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him? Proverbs 26:12 Wise – Biblical wisdom doesn’t come with degrees on the wall. The word hakam covers a host of practical living skills, from builders and metalworkers to leaders and counselors. But the…
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11 Dog – It’s hard to know where to start with a verse like this. The imagery is disgusting. It makes you want to gag just thinking about it. But there is a reason why Solomon chose such a repulsive picture. …
“the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 Suffers Violence – What in the world is Jesus talking about? How is it possible for God’s grace in the kingdom to be associated with violent force? And who can force God to do anything? You can hardly find a…
“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” John 4:23 Truth – God delights in those who worship Him in spirit and truth. Of this we can be certain. Unfortunately, we are not…
As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Proverbs 26:1 Honor – You can tell a lot about a person by observing whom they honor. Unfortunately, hero worship today often looks like snow in summer. It’s certainly upside-down and often damaging to the surroundings. Solomon understood the…
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provision of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness, but these are things you should have done without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23 Woe – So you think you know what is happening when Jesus…
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15 Keep – How many of us would be included in the Kingdom if Jesus came back right now and said, “Now I’ll take only those who have obeyed my commandments.” Would you be able to step forward and say, “Lord, I have obeyed. I’m…
